Taiwan assures safety of Filipinos amid China's 'reunification' plans

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) — The Taiwan government assured the safety of over 150,000 Filipinos in the island amid China's determination to pursue its «reunification» plans with Taipei.

«Don't worry about the safety of your workers in Taiwan,» said Taipei Economic Cultural Office (TECO) Representative Wallace Chow.

This was after Chow was asked about the reunification message of Chinese President Xi Jinping on New Year's Day.

Chow said the message of inevitable reunification from top Chinese leaders is nothing new.

«China will surely be reunified,» Xi said, «and all Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait should be bound by a common sense of purpose and share in the glory of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.»

In response, the Taiwan official put emphasis on the pursuit of peaceful reunification.

«I think every year, leaders of China will repeat their appeals for unification, but they stressed on peaceful reunification, although they never renounce the use of force, but that will be their last resort,» Chow said in an interview with reporters on Thursday.

The Taiwan official said he also believes Beijing will have a hard time convincing the Taiwanese population into accepting the reunification plans.

«They will have to try hard to convince our people to agree and reunify with China,» said Chow. «The first thing maybe is for them to become a democratic country first.»

All eyes will be on Taiwan as the island holds its national elections on Jan. 13.